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In Memory

In memory of our friend and colleague Amy Branch

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Female fans normally know more facts about what’s going on than men do anyway. I’d say they’re a more intelligent fan on top of that. They normally know more about what we’ve done than we know about what we’ve done. --- Tony Stewart

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There are female fans who take apart engines and will take you apart if you have a problem with that; who are drawn to the danger and mystery of the sport; who watch races on TV to witness pure passion and unscripted emotion; who love the camaraderie of these family-friendly festivals; who feel the nervous anxiety of the lip-biting wives atop the pit boxes. --- Andrew Giangola “The Weekend Starts on Wednesday”

Monday, May 7, 2012

The Wynn sits in the backdrop as Tony Stewart does burn outs on the Las Vegasstrip - all part of the fun during Champion's week.Credit: Chris Trotman/Getty Images for NASCAR

Las Vegas to Host for Next Three Years;

Wynn Las Vegas To Host 2013 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (May 7, 2012) – NASCAR announced today that the annual NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards – and all of Champion’s Week – will return to Las Vegas, Nev., and remain there for the next three years.

For the fourth-consecutive season, the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards will take place at Wynn Las Vegas on Friday, Nov. 30, a culmination of a week-long celebration for the series champion – and NASCAR fans. As in past years, fans can expect the traditionally exciting and interactive week of activities.

“Experience tells us that Las Vegas creates the perfect backdrop for our sport and our fans to join us in celebrating a NASCAR Sprint Cup Championship,” said Steve Phelps, chief marketing officer for NASCAR. “Returning Champion’s Week and the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards to Vegas for the next three years will help our loyal fans crystallize their plans to join us in putting the finishing touches on the season that was with a series of intriguing events across the city.”

From 1981 until 2008, NASCAR held its year-ending premier series awards show in New York City before moving to Las Vegas in 2009. Since then, the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards has been held at the Wynn Las Vegas, and has grown in stature and prestige with each passing year.

Fans can count on another star-studded and entertainment-filled week, culminating in the highly-anticipated NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards. During last year’s official crowning of Tony Stewart as champion, Sprint announced its renewed commitment to the sport through 2016, and renowned multimedia superstar Reba hosted and singer-songwriter and musician Kid Rock performed for members of the NASCAR industry and fans.

Included among the impressive list of celebrity entertainment the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards has attracted in Las Vegas are Brooks and Dunn, David Gray, Rascal Flatts, Colbie Caillat, Martina McBride, the Jersey Boys, Cirque Elvis and Frank Caliendo.

“The partnership between the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards and Las Vegas leverages the strength of two great brands,” said President and CEO for the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority Rossi Ralenkotter. “NASCAR Champion’s Week celebrates the best performances of the year and there is no better destination to provide the excitement and energy for the fans and the drivers than Las Vegas.”

A full lineup of activity during NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion’s Week will be announced at a later date.

"We're very excited that NASCAR Champion's Week will return to Las Vegas," said Las Vegas Motor Speedway President Chris Powell. "The Las Vegas community has shown great support for the NASCAR events at the speedway as well as Champion's Week. There is no better stage for NASCAR to crown its champion, and we continue to be thrilled that Champion's Week has found a home in the same city as America's Racing Showplace."